chapter 7 nutrition

Blood is comprised of four components.

1. Erythrocytes transport oxygen. 2. Leukocytes are the key to our immune system. 3. Platelets assist in formation of blood clots. 4. Plasma is the fluid portion of the blood.

Phosphorus

1. Phosphorus is part of the mineral complex of bone and is a component of ATP, cell membranes, and lipoproteins. 2. Dietary sources of phosphorus are widespread and found in high amounts in protein-containing foods. a. Phosphorus is found in soft drinks and added to foods as a food additive. 3. Severely high blood phosphorus can cause muscle spasms and convulsions. 4. Phosphorus deficiencies are rare.

What Disorders Can Result from Poor Bone Health?

A. Osteoporosis is a disease characterized by low bone mass and deterioration of bone tissue. 1. Risk factors include age, gender, genetics, smoking, nutrition, and physical activity.

What Is the Role of Blood in Maintaining Health?

Blood transports nutrients, oxygen, and waste products.

Electrolytes

Electrolytes maintain fluid balance in our bodies. 1. Electrolyte imbalances can cause dehydration and death.

What happens if we consume too much sodium?

Excessive sodium consumption can contribute to high blood pressure in some individuals. b. Consuming excess sodium causes bloating. 4. What happens if we don't consume enough sodium? a. Sodium deficiencies are rare. b. Hyponatremia can occur when excessive body fluids are lost.

I. What Are Minerals?

Minerals are solid, crystalline substances that do not contain carbon and are not broken down during digestion. 1. Minerals carry an electrical charge. 2. Minerals are classified according to how much of them our bodies need and how much is present in our bodies. a. Major minerals are required in amounts greater than 100 mg per day. b. Trace minerals are required in amounts less than 100 mg per day. c. Ultra-trace minerals are required in amounts lower than 1 mg/kg of body weight per day.

What happens if we don't consume enough chloride?

a. Chloride deficiency is rare. b. Chloride deficiency may occur during conditions of severe dehydration and frequent vomiting.

2. What happens if we don't consume enough potassium?

a. Dietary deficiency is rare. b. Individuals who lose excessive amounts of body fluids are at risk.

What happens if we don't consume enough iron?

a. Iron-deficiency anemia is the most common nutrient deficiency in the world.

How much sodium should we consume?

a. The AI for sodium is 1,500 mg. b. Most people in the United States consume between 3,000 and 6,000 mg. c. Processed foods generally contain higher sodium levels than unprocessed foods.

5. What happens if we don't consume enough calcium?

a. There are no short-term symptoms associated with consuming too little calcium, as our bodies will remove calcium from bone if necessary. b. The long-term effect of low calcium intake is osteoporosis.

Bones

are made up of minerals and protein. 1. Collagen is a protein that forms strong fibers in bone and connective tissue. 2. There are two types of bone. a. Cortical bone is very dense and comprises 80% of our skeleton. b. Trabecular bone is porous bone tissue that makes up 20% of our skeleton.

Zinc deficiency

can cause growth retardation, diarrhea, delayed sexual maturation and impotence, eye and skin lesions, hair loss, impaired appetite, and impaired immunity.

Zinc toxicity

can cause intestinal pain, nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite, diarrhea, and headaches. a. Excessive intake can also depress the immune system and interfere with copper absorption.

Magnesium

is a major mineral found in bone and soft tissue. 1. Other functions include muscle contractions, blood clotting, and enzyme assistance. 2. Good food sources are green leafy vegetables, hard water, whole grains, seeds, and nuts. 3. Toxicity symptoms include diarrhea, nausea, and abdominal cramps. 4. Deficiency is uncommon in healthy adults. a. Symptoms include muscle cramps, seizures, and nausea. b. May result in osteoporosis.

Sulfur

is a major mineral that is a component of some B vitamins and proteins. 1. Sulfur is required by the liver to assist in the detoxification of alcohol and drugs. 2. There is no known deficiency or toxicity for sulfur.

Chloride

is a major mineral. 1. Chloride is involved in fluid balance, transmission of nerve impulses, and is a part of hydrochloric acid (HCl) in the stomach.

Zinc

is a trace mineral involved in many different enzymes, including those involved in growth and the immune system. 1. Good food sources include red meat, some seafood, and whole and enriched grains.

Fluoride

is a trace mineral involved in the development and maintenance of bones and teeth. 1. Good sources of fluoride are fluoridated water and dental products. 2. Consuming too much fluoride causes fluorosis of the teeth and skeleton. 3. The primary result of fluoride deficiency is dental caries.

Iodine

is a trace mineral needed to support energy regulation. 1. Iodine is needed for synthesis of thyroid hormones. 2. Good food sources include iodized salt, saltwater fish, and shrimp. 3. An iodine deficiency and toxicity can cause a goiter.

Iron

is a trace mineral that is a component of hemoglobin, myoglobin, and enzymes.

Copper

is a trace mineral that is important in the transfer of iron. 1. Good food sources include organ meats, seafood, nuts, seeds, and whole grains. 2. Toxicity of copper is not well studied and deficiency is rare.

Manganese

is a trace mineral that is involved in energy metabolism and urea synthesis. 1. Manganese is widespread in foods. 2. Manganese toxicity and deficiency are rare.

Chromium

is a trace mineral that plays an important role in carbohydrate metabolism, RNA and DNA metabolism, growth, and immune function. 1. Food sources include mushrooms, prunes, dark chocolate, nuts, whole grains, asparagus, brewer's yeast, some beers, and red wine. 2. There appears to be no toxicity and deficiency is rare.

Selenium

is a trace mineral that works with iodine and is an antioxidant. 1. Selenium is found in nuts and organ meats. 2. Selenium toxicity is rare and deficiency is associated with rare forms of heart disease and arthritis.

Sodium

is an essential nutrient that our bodies need to function optimally. 1. Sodium has a variety of functions. a. Sodium is the major mineral in the fluid outside of the cell. b. It helps to maintain fluid balance, blood pressure, and acid-base balance. c. Sodium assists with transmission of nerve signals and aids in muscle contraction and relaxation. d. Sodium assists in the absorption of nutrients such as glucose. e. Sodium enhances flavor in food and acts as a preservative.

Potassium

is the major mineral in the fluid inside the cell. 1. Potassium helps to maintain fluid balance and assists in maintaining blood pressure. a. The best sources of potassium include fresh fruits and vegetables.

Phosphorus

is the major mineral inside our cells. 1. Phosphorus helps maintain fluid balance and bone health.

Calcium

is the most abundant mineral in our bodies. 1. Calcium has many functions. a. Provides structure to bones and teeth b. Assists with acid-base balance c. Is critical for normal transmission of nerve impulses d. Assists in muscle contraction e. Maintains healthy blood pressure f. Initiates blood clotting g. Regulates various hormones and enzymes